Man hacks two family members to death

Anxiety and grief has whelmed people of Chief Chilowamatambe in Malawi’s central district of Kasungu after a suspected epileptic man hacked to death two women.

One of the women, who are cousins, died on the scene of the incident while the other was confirmed dead upon arrival at Chamwabvi Health Centre.

Police confirmed the incident which occurred Thursday morning but said were yet to receive details at the time of publication.

However, In-charge of Chamwabvi Health Centre, Loti Makowa, identified one of the victims as Spirit Thom from Chipokolo Village in the area of Chief Chilowamatambe.

Makowa said the two middle-aged women died due to severe head injuries as well as loss of blood.

“The woman [Thom] met the epileptic man along the way who threatened to kill her. The deceased got alarmed and started running away but the man pursued and captured her. He started hitting her with a hoe handle until she became unconscious.

“And the other woman upon hearing screams she went to the scene to see what was happening and immediately the man turned to her. He also hit her with his weapon until she slumped and died on the spot,” explained Makowa.

The reportedly “mentally deranged” man, whose identity was not immediately known, was allegedly working at some construction site and was on his way heading there.

What transpired between the epileptic man and the deceased could not be ascertained but police say were doing everything possible to unravel the mystery surrounding the brutal attack.